Combination switch



Sept. 30, 1969 VERZILLI COMBINATION swn'on Filed March 21, 1968 20 FIGZ INVENTOR m M $1 3 M WM 4 ATTORNEYS United States Patent l 3,470,337 COMBINATION SWITCH Elia Verzilli, 1098 Princess Katy, Las Vegas, Nev. 89109 Filed Mar. 21, 1968, Ser. No. 714,889 Int. Cl. H01h 27/10 US. Cl. 200-43 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The combination switch comprises a circuit board including a plurality of circuit segments comprising electrically connected paired contacts, the circuit segments forming an interrupt series circuit between end terminals. A plurality of combination assemblies are mounted for movement between first and second positions respectively connecting contact bridging elements and electrical and insulating blocks between adjacent circuit segments. The combination assemblies extend through the circuit board with the bridging elements and blocks being interchangeably mounted on opposite sides of the board. Actuation of selected combination assemblies engages their bridging elements across associated circuit segments while the bridging elements on the opposite side of the circuit board carried by the remaining unactuated combination assemblies connect between the remaining adjacent circuit segments to complete the series circuit between the end terminals.

Background of the invention The present invention relates to a switch for controlling an electrical circuit. Particularly, the present invention relates to a combination switch having a plurality of combination assemblies wherein selected and simultaneous actuation of the combination assemblies completes an electrical circuit through the switch.

In many situations, it is often desirable that only authorized personnel be able to actuate a particular mechanism or device. In those mechanisms or devices which are electrically actuated, the electrical control circuit therefor usually remains open until a switch in the control circuit is closed. For example, electrically actuated locks for doors or ignition systems are commonly provided wherein the electrical control circuit for each such mechanism cannot be completed without first closing an associated switch as by turning a key or employing some other switch closing device or method or the like provided only to authorized personnel. The provision of a combination type switch renders the unauthorized completion of such circuit or circuits (as by random selection of the switch closing combination) so highly improbable that, for all practical purposes, the switch cannot be closed and the associated mechanism or device actuated without specific knowledge of the switch closing combination.

Known combination switches of this type often comprise a plurality of slidable elements having insulating and conducting portions disposed between contacts forming an electrical circuit. The elements are most often slidable by means of a pushbutton or key whereby movement of selected elements disposes the conductive portions thereof between the contacts of the interrupted series circuit to complete the circuit. The combinations of these known combination switches are for the most part not readily or conveniently changed. Additionally, most require manipulation of a resetting device whereby the elements are redisposed in the normal circuit interrupting position. If the combination is not reset, the circuit remains completed, actuating or permitting actuation of the associated electrical device by subsequent unauthorized Patented Sept. 30, 1969 personnel. Such known devices have not proven generally satisfactory or acceptable for these reasons, as well as their lack of reliability, inordinate cost, and, in general, complexity of construction.

Summary of the present invention The present invention provides a simple, reliable, and low cost combination switch which may form an integral part of an electrical circuit arranged in controlling relation to any mechanism or device, for example, an electrically actuated lock for a door, an ignition system, or the like, actuation of which requires completion of the electrical circuit. The present combination switch functions as a locking device for the mechanism or device, precluding actuation of the mechanism or device without first closing the present switch. The present switch includes a plurality of combination assemblies and can be closed only by simultaneous actuation of selected combination assemblies, i.e., the switch closing combination being known only to authorized personnel.

Specifically, the present combination switch provides a circuit board carrying spaced circuit segments, each comprising a pair of electrically connected contacts arranged serially between end terminals forming an interrupted series circuit. To complete the circuit between the end terminals, i.e., to electrically connect adjacent circuit segments to complete the series circuit, a plurality of combination assemblies are provided within a switch housing. Each combination assembly includes a stem movable from a normal first position to a second position as by depressing a button externally mounted thereon. Openings are provided through the circuit board adjacent each juxtaposed pair of circuit segments for receiving the stem. A contact bridging element and an electrical insulator element are interchangeably carried by the stem on opposite sides of the circuit board and one or the other of these elements lies in contact across the adjacent circuit segments when the stem lies in either the first or second position. When the contact bridging element connects across the adjacent circuit segments, the latter are electrically connected and it will be seen that when an electrical connection is made across each of the adjacent circuit segments, a series circuit will be completed between the end terminals. When the nonconductive insulator element bridges the adjacent circuit segments, the circuit between the end terminals remains interrupted.

By providing for interchangeable mounting of the contact bridging and insulator elements on either side of the circuit board, electrical connection between adjacent circuit segments can be accomplished with the stern in either the first or second position, depending on which side of the board the contact bridging element is located. Accordingly, by arranging the elements on each stem in a predetermined manner, selected combinations of buttons must be depressed to complete the circuit through the switch. Moreover, with the foregoing structures, it is necessary that none of the remaining buttons be simultaneously depressed with the selected or switch closing button combination as this would break the normal electrical contact across the associated circuit segments.

The combination switch of the present invention is automatically reset after depression of any one or more of the switch actuating buttons, including the switch closing combination of buttons, whereby the relative external configuration of the various buttons provides no indication as to the selected closing combination of buttons. To this end, the buttons are spring biased to a normal position which corresponds to a position wherein one or the other of the contact bridging or insulating elements engages the normally open contacts on one side of the frame. This engagement also serves to restrain 3 further outward movement of the button from the switch housing.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved combination switch.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved combination switch having a plurality of combination assemblies wherein selected actuation of the assemblies closes a series circuit through the switch.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved combination switch which may form an integral part of an electrical circuit controlling the associated mechanism wherein the mechanism can be actuated only after the combination switch is closed.

It is a related object of the present invention to provide an improved combination switch wherein the switch closing combination can be readily, easily and conveniently changed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved combination switch having a plurality of combination assemblies wherein the assemblies are automatically reset after actuation thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved electrical combination switch which is readily and easily manufactured and low in cost.

These and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the following specification and claims and the appended drawings.

Description of the drawing figures FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a combination switch constructed in accordance with the present invention with portions thereof broken out and in across section taken about on line 11 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view thereof taken about on line 2-2 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the combination switch;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of a frame or circuit board employed with the combination switch hereof; and

FIGURE 5 is an exploded perspective view of an individual combination assembly employed with the switch hereof.

Description of a preferred embodiment Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG- URES 1 and 3 a combination switch, generally designated 10, comprising a housing having a base plate 12 and a housing body portion 14 having integral side and end walls 16 and 17, respectively, and an upper wall 18. The lower portion of body 14 is open and carries an inwardly extending integral flange 19 forming a seat for receiving the peripheral edge portions of base plate 12, the latter being secured to body portion 14 by any suitable means, such as by screws, not shown, threadedly engaging flange 19. A plurality of openings 20 are formed through upper wall 18 and buttons 22 are received through openings 20 for purposes as will presently become clear.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, an inwardly projecting flange 24 is formed along the side and end walls of the housing body 14 intermediate upper wall 18 and base plate 12. A generally rectangular frame 26 underlies and is suitably secured to intermediate flange 24 as by screws, not shown. Frame 26 thus lies in spaced parallel relation above base plate 12 and, as shown in FIGURE 4, comprises a circuit board carrying an electrical circuit having end terminals 28. Terminals 28 are connected into and the present switch may form an integral part of an electrical circuit for controlling, for example, an electrically actuated lock, or any other electrically actuated mechanism.

The electrical circuit includes a plurality of electrical contacts 30 spaced one from the other and arranged to form a plurality of parallel, laterally spaced, longitudinally extending rows of contacts. Electrically conducting lead line segments 32 connect between every other pair of adjacent contacts 30 to form a plurality of serially arranged spaced pairs of electrically connected contacts in each row, hereinafter referred to as circuit segments. The end terminals 28 are connected to an end contact in each of the outermost rows of contacts by lead lines 34. The opposite end contact of each outermost row is electrically connected to the like end contact of the next adjacent inner row of contacts by a bridging lead line 36 and the opposite end contacts of the two inner rows of contacts are electrically connected one to the other by a bridging lead line 36. The spacing between each pair of electrically connected contacts or circuit segments in each row thus interrupts a series circuit formed between end terminals 28 and comprising lead lines 32 and 34, contacts 30, and bridging lead lines 36. Accordingly, to complete the circuit between end terminals 28, the circuit segments in each row must be serially and electrically connected one to the other. Note that the contacts 30 extend through and are exposed on opposite sides of circuit board 26 whereby electrical connection between adjacent circuit segments may be effected from either side of circuit board 26.

Three openings 38 are formed through circuit board 26 and lie laterally adjacent to and span adjacent circuit segments in each row thereof. Openings 38 lie in spaced vertical registry below the openings 20 formed through upper wall 18 and are adapted to slidably receive the stern portions of combination switch actuating assemblies, generally indicated at 40, which will now be described.

As best shown in FIGURE 5, the switch actuating assemblies 40 each comprise a flat, elongated, generally rectangular stem 42, an insulating or restraining block 44, and a contact bridging block 46. Stem 42 has a forked lower end providing a pair of outer legs 48 and a central leg 50 and an upper end carrying an integral upwardly extending pin 52. Each button 22 is preferably formed of plastic and the underside thereof is recessed as at 53 to receive pin 52 whereby button 22 is suitably secured to stem 42. The central leg 50 of stem 42 is shorter than outer legs 48 and the terminal portions of outer legs 48 are formed to project substantially at right angles to stem 42 providing a pair of arms 54. Arms 54 are preferably integral with stem 42, but may, for ease of assembly, comprise separate arms releasably secured or hinged to stem 42. A pair of support arms 56, in the form of right angle brackets, are suitably secured to legs 48 in spaced relation above lower arms 54 and project from the same side of stem 42 as arms 54. Stem 42 and arms 54 and 56 may be formed of any suitable, preferably nonconductive, material, such as plastic.

Insulating block 44 comprises a rectangular block formed of an electrically nonconductive material and having a generally rectangular opening 58 extending laterally therethrough of a width slightly larger than the thickness of arms 54 and 56 and a length slightly larger than the distance between the outer edges of arms 54 and 56. In this manner, block 44 can be interchangeably carried by either arm 54 or 56, with the latter being received in opening 58. Contact block 46 comprises a strip of electrically conductive metal having spaced contacts 60 carried on one side thereof. The ends of the metal strip outwardly of the contact 60 are bent toward the opposite .side and inwardly directed flanges 62 are formed and spaced below contacts 60. Block 46 is thus formed such that the arm 54 or 56 can be received between flanges 62 and the flat body portion of the block whereby contact block 46 can rest on arms 54 with contact 60 facing upwardly as seen in FIGURE 5 or depend from arm 56 with contacts 60 facing downwardly as seen in the lefthand combination assembly illustrated in FIGURE 1. Note that the spacing between contacts 60 on block 46 is identical to the spacing between the nearest contacts of adjacent pairs of electrically connected contacts on circuit board 26 whereby electrical connection between next adjacent contacts 60 engage circuit board 26 on either side thereof.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the lower legs 48 and 50 of stem 42 are received within the openings 38 formed in circuit board 26 whereby arms 54 and 56 are respectively located to underlie and overlie circuit board 26. A coil spring 64 encompasses the central leg 50 of each stem and carries a pair of washers 66 at opposite ends which respectively bear against the upper face of circuit board 26 and the shoulder portion of stem 42 between outer legs 48 and central leg 50. Each stem 42 is thus biased outwardly by spring 54 with either block disposed on lower arms 54, as the case may be, restraining switch actuating assembly 40 from further outward movement. Buttons 22 project through openings 20 in upper wall 18, equal distances when all the blocks carried by lower arms 54 butt frame 26.

It will be seen that blocks 44 and 46 may be interchangeably mounted on arms 54 and 56 and, that in the normal position of stems 42, that is, the position wherein buttons 22 project from housing 14 to their greatest extent under the bias of spring 64, the blocks mounted on arms 54 engage against and span the associated adjacent circuit segments. If an insulating block- 44 is mounted on arms 54 and a contact block 46 is mounted on arms 56, as illustrated by the left-hand contact assemblies 40 in FIGURES 1 and 2, electrical contact between the associated next adjacent circuit segments remains interrupted when buttons 22 lie in their normal undepressed position under the bias of spring 64. To provide electrical contact between such adjacent circuit segments, the associated button 22 must be depressed to displace the contact block 46 carried by arm 56 downwardly engaging contacts 60 against the nearest contacts of the corresponding adjacent circuit segments. Conversely, if an insulating block 44 is mounted on'upper arms 56 and a contact block 46 is mounted on lower arms 54; as illustrated by the right-hand combination assemblies 40 seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, the associated circuit segments are electrically connected through contacts 60 and contact block 46 when the corresponding button 22 lies in its normal outermost position. Depression of one or more buttons 22 having the latter block arrangement would break the electrical contact between the associated circuit segments. It will therefore be seen that if all contact blocks 46 are mounted on lower arms 54, a series circuit is completed between end terminals 28 when stems 42 and hence buttons 22 lie in their normal outwardly biased position. Conversely, if all of the blocks are reversed, the circuit would be completed by depression of all of buttons 22.

Assuming that the normal position of the blocks provides for the mounting of the contact blocks 46 on the lower arms 54, it will be seen that the interchangeable mounting of the blocks on one or more selected stems 42, that is, disposing the contact block 46 on upper arms -56 and restraining block 44 on lower arms 54, provides for the electrical interruption of the series circuit between the next adjacent circuit segments associated with the selected stems 42. In this manner, the circuit through the switch is maintained normally open and this is the usual operating condition of the switch. Only by depressing the buttons 22 associated with such selected stems 42 to engage their contact blocks 46 against the corresponding adjacent circuit segments, can the circuit between end terminals 28 be completed. Note that the selected buttons 22 must be depressed simultaneously if the circuit is to be completed. Additionally, if one or more of the other buttons (those other than the switch closing button combinations) are simultaneously depressed, and this with or without depression of the selected buttons, the series circuit will remain interrupted. Such depression of one or more of the other buttons would space the corresponding lowermost contact block 46 from the associated circuit segments and break the electrical contact between such segments. It will thus be appreciated that the electrically operated mechanism, in which the present switch would form an integral part of the electrical circuit therefor, for example, an electrical circuit controlling a lock mechanism, cannot be actuated without completing the circuit through the present switch. The switch circuit, of course, cannot be closed without simultaneous depression of the selected combination of buttons.

A large number of combinations is available by selectively interchangeably mounting the blocks 44 and 46 on the arms 54 and 56 of one or more of the variously located combination assemblies 40 such that one or more of the assemblies 40 electrically connect their associated circuit segments when buttons 22 thereof lie in their outermost positions and the remaining assemblies 40' electrically connect their associated circuit segments when buttons 22 are depressed. Under usual conditions, the blocks 44 and 46 on only three or four combination assemblies 40 are arranged such that depression of the associated buttons 22 electrically connect the corresponding circuit segments. This permits closing of the present switch with the fingers of but one hand. It will, of course, be understood that any desired number of assemblies 40 may be so arranged as to require simultaneous depression of one or more or all of the buttons 22 in order to complete the circuit through the switch. Where the switch closing combination requires simultaneous depression of five or more buttons, electromagnets, not shown, can be located to maintain a depressed combination assembly 40 in the depressed position until all of the selected buttons can be depressed. Further, it will be appreciated that the twenty combination assemblies 40 herein illustrated represent only an exemlpary number of combination assemblies and that any number thereof may be provided as desired.

It is significant that with the foregoing construction all of the buttons 20 are returned to their normal position after they have been depressed. Thus, when the switch closing combinations of buttons are depressed, the buttons automatically return to their normal position upon release thereof under the bias of spring 64 and provide no indication whatsoever of the combination of buttons which will complete the circuit. It is also significant that with either of the blocks 44 or 46 carried by either of the arms 54 and 56, the distances through which the buttons 22 are depressed and return remain identical, thereby providing no indication as to particular disposition of the contact and abutment blocks on arms 54 and 56.

It will be further appreciated that the present combination switch can be employed in conjunction with an ordinary key operated switch With which the circuit could be locked open during hours when authorized personnel were absent or with an electrically operated alarm system which could be activated by depression of one of the stems not comprising part of the closing combination. It is thus seen that the present switch can be used alone as the sole control for the associated electrically operated mechanism of which it would form an integral part of the electrical circuit thereof or can be used in combination with other devices, thus requiring actuation of a series of switches, mechanisms and the like to actuate the associated electrically operated mechanism.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United Letters Patent is:

1. A combination switch for controlling an electrical circuit comprising a housing, a frame carried within said housing, a pair of end terminals carried by said switch for connection in the electrical circuit, spaced circuit segments carried by said frame and serially arranged to form an interrupted electrical path between said end terminals, said circuit segments being exposed for electrical contact on opposite sides of said frame, a plurality of combination assemblies each comprising a member mounted for movement between first and second positions, a circuit segment bridging element interchangeably carried by said member for selected disposition adjacent opposite sides of said frame, said bridging element being disposable on one side of said frame for electrically connecting across adjacent circuit segments when said member lies in said first position, said bridging element being disposable on the opposite side of said frame for electrically connecting across adjacent circuit segments when said member lies in said second position, and means for selectively locating said members in said first and second positions, said electrical path through said circuit segments and between said end terminals being completed when the members carrying said bridging elements on said one frame side lie in said first position and the members carrying said bridging elements on said opposite frame side lie in said second position.

2. A combination switch according to claim 1 including means biasing said members into said first position, said bridging element electrically connecting across like adjacent circuit segments when lying on opposite sides of said frame.

3. A combination switch according to claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a circuit board having a plurality of openings therethrough, said members being slidably received in said openings and lying substantially normal to said circuit board, said bridging elements respectively overlying and underlying associated portions of adjacent circuit segments when disposed on opposite sides of said frame whereby axial movement of said members in opposite directions causes respective electrical contact between the bridging elements on opposite sides of the frame and the adjacent circuit segments.

4. A combination switch according to claim 3 wherein each said member carries at least one arm projecting substantially normal thereto on opposite sides of said frame, said bridging element being removably carried by each of said arms.

5. A combination switch according to claim 1 including spring means biasing said members into said first position, a second element interchangeably carried by said members for selected disposition adjacent opposite sides of said frame and on the side thereof opposite said bridging element, one of said elements being engageable against said frame to restrain said member in said first position against the bias of said spring means.

6. A combination switch according to claim 5 wherein the other of said elements is engageable against said frame to restrain the corresponding member from movement past said second position.

7. A combination switch according to claim 5 wherein said frame being in substantially horizontal alignment, one of openings therethrough, said members being slidably received in said openings and lying substantially normal to said circuit board, said second element being formed of electrically insulating material, said bridging and second elements lying on opposite sides of portions of adjacent circuit segments whereby axial movement of said members in opposite directions causes alternate engagement of associated bridging and second elements with the adjacent circuit segments.

8. A combination switch according to claim 7 wherein each of said members carries at least one arm projecting substantially normal thereto on opposite sides of said frame, the associated bridging and second elements being slidably mounted on said arms.

9. A combination switch according to claim 7 wherein said circuit board has three slots formed adjacent each adjacent pair of circuit segments, said members each comprising an elongated part having three legs laterally spaced one from the other and engageable in said slots, said biasing means including a coil spring encompassing the central leg with opposite ends thereof engaging said frame and a shoulder formed on said part, a pair of vertically spaced arms carried by each of said other legs and projecting substantially normal thereto on opposite sides of said frame, the arms of each leg on a like side of said frame being in substantially horizontal alignment one with the other, said bridging and insulating elements being interchangeably and slidably mounted on said horizontally aligned arms.

10. A combination switch for controlling an electrical circuit comprising a housing, a frame carried within said housing, a pair of end terminals carried by said switch for connection in the electrical circuit, a plurality of spaced electrically connected pairs of contacts carried by said frame and serially arranged to form an interrupted electrical path between said end terminals, said pairs of contacts being exposed for electrical contact on opposite sides of said frame, a plurality of combination elements each comprising a member mounted for movement between first and second positions, a contact bridging element carried by each of said members, certain of said members carrying bridging elements providing for electrical connection across adjacent pairs of electrically connected contacts on one side of said frame when said certain members lie in said first position, others of said members carrying bridging elements providing for electrical connection across adjacent pairs of electrically connected contacts on the opposite side of said frame when said other members lie in said second position, and means external to said housing for moving said members into said first and second positions, said electrical path between said end terminals being completed when all of said certain members lie in said first position and all of said other members lie in said second position.

11. The switch according to claim 10 wherein said bridging elements are interchangeably carried by said members for selected disposition adjacent opposite sides of said frame.

12. The switch according to claim 11 including spring means biasing said members into said first position.

13. The switch according to claim 12 including a second element interchangeably carried by each of said members for selected disposition adjacent opposite sides of said frame and on the side thereof opposite said bridging element, one of said elements being engageable against said frame to restrain said member in said first position against the bias of said spring means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,031,324 7/l9l2 Cookson 200-43 2,594,254 4/1952 Vidals et al. ZOO-43 X 3,244,823 4/1966 Hall 200--l6.l

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner H. I. HOHAUSER, Assistant Examiner 

